Knitatude

Knitting

HOW TO MODIFY PATTERNS: PART 3 - 5 TECHNIQUES FOR THE PERFECT PATTERN FIT

KnittingChantal MiyagishimaComment

Chances are as a knitter, you may not know all of the tips and tricks out there that you can use to make a pattern fit better on your body. That’s why I’m here to help. Though I don’t know everything, these are a few things I’ve learnt along the way. Since this topic of inclusivity has been mainly based around designing for plus size bodies - I figured I would add more tips there, even though these tricks are universal.

In this blog post we are going to go over: Short rows, bust darts, adjusting for length, shaping and shoulder shaping.

HOW TO MODIFY KNIT PATTERNS: PART 1 - FINDING YOUR BODY SHAPE

Knitting, Knitting TipsChantal Miyagishima8 Comments

With the conversation popping up more and more about size inclusivity in patterns, I wanted to create a 3 part series of blog posts on different ways how you can alter a pattern to fit better to your body shape.

The best part about knitting and crocheting is the simple fact that you can take out or add anything from a pattern to tailor it to your body. All of our bodies are shaped differently, which means that what may work for the designer, may not work for you. I like to think of patterns as blue prints that I can edit and make changes too - and you should too!

Knitatude: A Year in review 2019

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Holy. How did another year go by?

As that clock strides towards midnight tonight, I can’t help but sit and contemplate how far Knitatude has come. My baby girl is now 5 years old. What started as a circle scarf that I didn’t get for Christmas has now become a full fledged business. I’ve gone from selling scarves when I didn’t know how to purl, to diving into designing and now leaving the world of markets in a 5 year span.

THE DUALITY SCARF - Designing after Dorothy

KnittingChantal Miyagishima1 Comment

Happy Holidays! I hope you are snuggled up by the couch and getting your knit on after all the festivities yesterday.

Even though we have only 5 days left of 2019, I wanted to squeak in one more pattern for you: The Duality Scarf! My last pattern of the year, and this one is near and dear to me because: It’s designed after my mom.

Holiday round up: A knitters wishlist

KnittingChantal Miyagishima3 Comments

I wanted to put together what I have on my wish list this year, as well as showcase 8 things that I think would be perfect for the knitter in your life. These all range in price and are things I am currently dreaming of, or already have and think would be a perfect fit to your home! So here we go:

THE ALL TIED UP SWEATER

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Who’s ready for a cozy sweater? Introducing; the All Tied Up Sweater!

I’ve always been a fan of those slightly off the shoulder sexy sweaters, so I wanted to make my own version with LionBrand Feels Like Butta that would be nice to lounge around the house in. Fun fact, those sexy sweaters? Don’t always stay up haha. Cue the ties. 

Is the Namaste Jimmy Beans Wool Backpack Worth It?

KnittingChantal Miyagishima4 Comments

Back in January I had my first siting of the Namaste Jimmy Beans Wool backpack. I was perusing my IG stories, and this stunner of a bag popped up in a story from Knit Brooks. Immediately I swiped up and saw the $150 price tag and faltered. I’m not a big backpack type gal, but the blush was just so damn pretty that I got ready to take out my credit card to purchase. That’s when I started chatting with Lauras (the owner) team and they so lovingly sent me out one to see what I thought instead, and to share my thoughts on my Instagram feed.

THE PERFECT OFFICE KNIT - BRAIDED PONCHO

KnittingChantal MiyagishimaComment

I always giggle that because of my Canadian heritage, people expect me to love the cold. Frosty window panes, fluttering snow… below freezing temps. Nope. No thank you. To be honest, I hate it with a passion! I’m the one you’ll find reaching for the fleece lines tights in the end of August when its 16 degrees out (60 Fahrenheit for my US folks), and I wear slippers around my house constantly. Heat? Give it to me baby.

The OML Experience

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I sit here in my yarn room after just dropping Toni (TL Yarn Crafts) off at the airport, and I am sad. Actually, to be honest; I’m bawling. The Calgary; Our Maker Life event is finally coming to a close and I am feeling all the feels. Like a chunk of my soul is leaving with every plane that takes off, as my new and old friends leave my city and head back to their respective homes.

The Easy Eyelet Yoke LITE - Summer Version

KnittingChantal Miyagishima2 Comments

The summer time knit is a total crapshoot for us knitters. Half of us fall off the bandwagon and wait for colder temps to sneak in and actually take the summer off, while the other half are just struggling to find a project where we 1) Don’t have to knit with crazy hot wool, and 2) Can actually wear it in the next month or so.

5 Quick Tips to Going with the Flow of Knitwear Design - The Bombshell Crop Top: Collab with KenYarn

Knitting, Small Biz TipsChantal Miyagishima1 Comment

Back in April-ish of last year, Jake from KenYarn sent me a message asking if I would like to do a collab with his company and his hand dyed yarn. I immediately said yes, and that’s where the Bombshell Crop Top came from.

The Diamond Knit Dress

KnittingChantal Miyagishima10 Comments

I started this dress actually back in February, but just knew Spring was peeking too closely around the corner. So I laid in wait, patiently (who am I kidding - impatiently) for the fall, and now, this baby can finally be set free. So I introduce you to: THE DIAMOND KNIT DRESS.

Tips to Become a Knitatude Pattern Tester

KnittingChantal Miyagishima5 Comments

Hello friends! I figured that since I call for pattern testers pretty often - I would explain how I pick and choose and give some tips and do's and don'ts to help better your chances of getting to test. If you're a pattern designer, maybe you can take home some tips too.

Hosting a Knit Night

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Imagine this: You’ve just learned to knit or crochet - or maybe you have been for a while - and can't stop pining to talk knits and purls, crochets and cables, patterns and fibers and yarn, etc. There's just one issue: Your partner or close friend doesn't really care. They listen and smile, but just don’t get it. Welcome to my life.

 I started a weekly Stitch N’ Bitch in Calgary, Canada 2.5 years ago and it’s been the highlight night of my week since! It’s wonderful to get together to knit or crochet, chat, laugh and learn. So if you’ve been wanting some knit-friendly friends, here are my tips in starting a knit night!

HOW TO KNIT CABLES

KnittingChantal Miyagishima7 Comments

Ok! Since some of my upcoming patterns I'm releasing in the next few weeks include cables I thought it was time to tackle a blog post about them. JUST in case you have been wanting to do them but haven't yet because they freak you out. Cables. As a new knitter these are the dream, the life, the aspiration. They also look effing HARD! Turns out they are hella simple and they are nothing to be scared of.  

We are Knitters - Bossa Nova Sweater

KnittingChantal Miyagishima

I've been on a complete sweater kick. It just goes to show that once you get bitten by the sweater bug it doesn't go away! So here is a sweater that I made back in the Spring! I'll keep updating you on the ones I've been working on!